This Year, Health Takes Centre Stage.
but first:Welcome to Articles for Growth—a space where health, wellbeing, and personal growth align to inspire meaningful change.
As we begin to take our first steps into a brand-new year, there’s no better time to pause, reflect, and set the tone for the journey ahead.
For me, this marks the beginning of a new chapter, one focused on a deeply personal mission to redefine what it means to live healthily and purposefully in our 40s and beyond.
Having spent over 15 years as a personal trainer, I’ve witnessed firsthand how health extends far beyond physical fitness.
It’s about balance, resilience, and the courage to prioritise ourselves amidst life’s constant demands.
Through these articles, I hope to share insights, reflections, and lessons from my own journey—and those of the incredible women I’ve had the privilege to coach.
Each article will be a reminder that small, intentional steps can lead to powerful transformations.
So, let’s begin, together, with the most important gift we can give ourselves: Health.
on to the first article:This Year, Health Takes Centre Stage.
For my very first article, the natural focus is on the one thing that underpins everything else: Our Health.
Another New Year is upon us, and many of you must be pondering this year’s goals, resolutions, and plans.
There’s nothing wrong with setting goals or creating resolutions—I was a firm believer in the practice myself.
And whilst I still love the air of new beginnings, I’ve started to embrace a different approach, one rooted in reflection rather than reinvention.
As a personal trainer, my identity was deeply tied to my health and fitness. My body was my tool, my example, and my pride. But when a back injury knocked me off course, everything shifted.
It wasn’t just the physical pain—it was the uncertainty, the loss of confidence, and the quiet grief of feeling like I’d lost a part of myself.
For a long time, I stopped recognising the woman in the mirror. I neglected myself—not because I didn’t care, but because I no longer fit the ideal I had clung to for so long.
The harder I tried to chase it back—the weight, the inches, the old version of me—the hollower those efforts felt.
Have you ever felt this way? Like your health—or even your sense of self—has slipped away, and no matter how hard you push, you can’t seem to reach it again?
It was in the depths of this struggle that I learned one of life’s most profound lessons:
Health isn’t about perfection, but about connection—to your body, your mind, and the life you want to live.
This realisation shifted everything. I let go of superficial metrics and began prioritising the kind of health that sustains—not just for today, but for the years ahead.
It wasn’t about grand, sweeping changes; it was about small, intentional habits that made sense for my busy life.
For me, this meant things like:
Drinking enough water to stay hydrated and focused, so I could feel energised throughout my day.
Prioritising sleep, so I could show up with clarity and purpose for myself and those who depend on me.
Choosing meals that didn’t just nourish my body but also brought joy to my soul.
These micro habits became my foundation, reminding me that health isn’t a sprint—it’s a quiet, steady commitment to myself, one step at a time.
This year, I’m making health my priority—not the health of my twenties, but the kind that meets me where I am now. And I invite you to do the same.
Health is the truest wealth we carry.
And in our 40s and beyond, it becomes more important than ever—not just for those who rely on us, but for ourselves.
Here’s to making this year one of intention, care, and possibility.
Warmly,
Naz.
Thank you for reading.
If you enjoyed this article, take the next step with the One Insight Newsletter—a weekly letter featuring a simple idea to spark insight, challenge perspectives, and rethink progress.